Rooney struggling to cope with media pressure – Ferguson

(GSM) – Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted Wayne Rooney has a tough time on the pitch now that the media spotlight is on him.

Rooney has made the headlines for the wrong reasons recenlty because of revelations over his private live. The England striker has only managed to score once for United this season and he was left out of the squad that was kept to a draw by Everton at Goodison Park because Ferguson wanted to protect Rooney.

The Scottish manager is afraid his star player may be mentally exhausted after coming under such constant scrutiny.

“I don’t believe he has a confidence problem but the boy is starting to realise finally, without any question, what kind of focus is on him as a human being,” Ferguson said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“He is realising what it means to be at the centre of media attention for non-football-related questions.

“I don’t think the boy can turn a corner at the moment without a camera on him. He can’t move without the paparazzi being on him and, for a young person, that is not what you want. You want to play and enjoy your football without that attention on you, because that can be quite exhausting.

“He would like to keep playing with freedom, but the siege of the tabloids can wear out anyone.”